Updated 8:29 pm, Saturday, April 29, 2017

Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt throws out the first pitch before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle)

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt throws out the first pitch before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt meets Houston Astros left fielder Josh Reddick (22) and other players before throwing out the first pitch as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle)

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt meets Houston Astros left fielder Josh Reddick (22) and other players before throwing out the first pitch as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt talk to Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) after throwin the first pitch to him before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt talk to Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) after throwin the first pitch to him before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt throws out the first pitch before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle)

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt throws out the first pitch before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt meets Houston Astros left fielder Josh Reddick (22) before throwing out the first pitch as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday,

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, right, poses with Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel, center, and team mascot Orbit after throwing out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, right, poses with Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel, center, and team mascot Orbit after throwing out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, right, talks with Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel after throwing out the first pitch before the Astros' baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, right, talks with Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel after throwing out the first pitch before the Astros' baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, April 29, 2017,

Wearing a customized No. 99 white Astros jersey with his last name on the back, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt threw out the first pitch before Saturday's Astros-Athletics game at Minute Maid Park.

He casually wound up and laid a smooth, straight throw in to a crouched Dallas Keuchel behind the plate.

Before taking the mound, Watt praised the Astros on their "phenomenal" 15-8 start. Then he spoke favorably of the Texans drafting Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

"It's been good," he said. "Obviously in this league you need a quarterback. Getting a guy like Deshaun, who's a proven winner, and the ability to come in and not have to start right away and be able to learn and grow is really good for him. We're excited."

Watt did not prepare with precision for throwing in front of the home crowd.

"I pulled up in the garage, I got out, they handed me the jersey, I put it on and I walked out here."